SteelSeries debuts 'Stratus' MFi-certified Bluetooth game controller

PC gaming peripheral maker SteelSeries on Monday took the covers off of a new Made for iPhone game controller that connects to iOS devices wirelessly over Bluetooth, the first of its kind.

Unlike competitive devices from Moga and Logitech, SteelSeries's Stratus is designed as a standalone controller, rather than one that wraps around the user's device. Not only does this mean the Stratus can be used as a game controller for iPad, but also for older devices that do not use Apple's Lightning connector — like an iPhone 4s running iOS 7 — as well as future models that may not share the iPhone 5's form factor.

The Stratus uses Apple's "extended" controller layout, providing gamers with a directional pad, four action buttons and four shoulder buttons alongside dual analog sticks. SteelSeries says an integrated battery can power the gamepad for approximately 10 hours on a full charge and can be topped up via USB in around 2 hours.

Up to four Stratus controllers can be connected to a single iOS device for use in multiplayer games and Wiimote-like LED lights help players determine which controller is which.

"With Stratus, gamers have easy and direct access to a growing roster of great games on iPad that were intended for an immersive, controller-enabled experience," SteelSeries CEO Bruce Hawver said in a release announcing the device. "We're incredibly excited to be the first gaming peripherals company to develop a standalone controller for iOS devices and are thrilled to see an abundance of high quality game titles rolling out from publishers everyday."

The SteelSeries Stratus comes in both black and white and is available for pre-order today from the company's website for $99.99.

Finally, a proper iOS bluetooth controller. Besides not knowing its ergonomics/build quality, the price is very steep. PS3 controllers which this is akin to are $50, the more advanced ps4 controller is about $70. I think $70-75 should be the most they could get away with charging.

Now if only apple quits the ATV and replaces it with a screenless ipad... (or bring full iOS to ATV) that will support these devices and other iOS devices as controllers. I think nintendo would quake in their booties...

Now if only apple quits the ATV and replaces it with a screenless ipad... (or bring full iOS to ATV) that will support these devices and other iOS devices as controllers. I think nintendo would quake in their booties...

I can't understand why anyone would want a separate controller unless the game was being streamed to the AppleTV. Especially for an iPhone. Let's carry around an accessory that's twice as big as the phone and figure out some way to prop the phone so you can use the controller. This might be the best iOS compatible controller so far but that's not really something to brag about right now. And their commercial is ridiculous. Two teenagers huddled around the tiny iPad screen wearing huge headphones because the iPad speaker is crap. Yep, that certainly inspires me to rush out and buy one.

I can't understand why anyone would want a separate controller unless the game was being streamed to the AppleTV. Especially for an iPhone. Let's carry around an accessory that's twice as big as the phone and figure out some way to prop the phone so you can use the controller. This might be the best iOS compatible controller so far but that's not really something to brag about right now. And their commercial is ridiculous. Two teenagers huddled around the tiny iPad screen wearing huge headphones because the iPad speaker is crap. Yep, that certainly inspires me to rush out and buy one.

Sorry, but "I don't understand why anyone would want . . ." is the worst way to approach any new Apple ecosystem device, providing it works at all.

There can always be someone who can find a use that no one else thought of. Your approach could be called the "just a bigger iPod touch" syndrome that we saw when the first iPad was announced.

Sorry, but "I don't understand why anyone would want . . ." is the worst way to approach any new Apple ecosystem device, providing it works at all.

There can always be someone who can find a use that no one else thought of. Your approach could be called the "just a bigger iPod touch" syndrome that we saw when the first iPad was announced.

It's a game controller. It's purpose is already strictly defined. I imagine it could be implemented in apps that aren't actually games, like anatomy apps allowing you to navigate the human body with the controller, but that still doesn't make it any less ridiculous to carry around a large controller for use with an iPhone.

And beyond limitations Apple puts on the iPod touch, the iPad is pretty much just a larger device. Which isn't a bad thing. If my iPad could make phone calls I'd ditch my iPhone in a second.

It's a game controller. It's purpose is already strictly defined. I imagine it could be implemented in apps that aren't actually games, like anatomy apps allowing you to navigate the human body with the controller, but that still doesn't make it any less ridiculous to carry around a large controller for use with an iPhone.

And beyond limitations Apple puts on the iPod touch, the iPad is pretty much just a larger device. Which isn't a bad thing. If my iPad could make phone calls I'd ditch my iPhone in a second.

Yep, something like interactive education on the iPad would be an example, or using two controllers to play musical duets, that kind of thing. Developers are going to find something new here.

- it means it can be used with an iPad (like in the video) and the controller shared between multiple devices
- it means multiplayer with one iOS device (like in the video)
- it means you don't have to clip on/off the controller each time you want to play
- if a new device form factor comes out, you don't need a new controller

IMO, this is the best controller out of the 3 that exist. 10 hour battery life is decent enough too, especially with a 2 hour charge time. $100 is still a bit expensive but I'd say it's more justifiable here than the other controllers as it's wireless. It would have been good to have a headphone jack on the controller but an extension cord will do the job.

This is a great setup for kids in the back of a car because the iPad can go on the head rest and the kid can sit with the controller.

NVidia showed off their latest Tegra K1 at CES and Unreal 4:

Now that the controllers are mostly taken care of, there needs to be more games to take advantage of them. They are saying that K1 with 192 cores brings it in line with standard PCs so porting high-end games over should be easier. If the PowerVR GPUs Apple's using can do this already, it's time for developers to start getting the games out.

Yeah sorry, 'twas a little joke. My point is that a controller such as this is best aimed at use with consoles. The Apple TV is the closest thing apple has to console. And though as you imply it already is a screen less ipad, it doesn't run iOS. I have a suspicion that this spec was aimed at catering for future developments in the living room arena from apple.